Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon's Collision Mars 2024 Monaco Grand Prix

The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix began with a dramatic incident as Alpine teammates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided at the Portier corner on the first lap. The collision sent Ocon's car airborne, resulting in significant damage and his subsequent retirement from the race.

Gasly, who managed to continue the race, was left furious. Over the team radio, he exclaimed, "What did he do?! What did he do?! Why did he try to attack me?! Oh my gosh! The whole car is damaged now!" His frustration was evident as he later expressed disappointment over Ocon's aggressive maneuver.

The incident was reviewed by race stewards, who determined that Ocon was at fault. He was initially handed a 10-second time penalty, which was later converted into a five-place grid drop for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. This decision highlighted the severity of the collision and the need for consequences.

Alpine team principal Bruno Famin did not hide his disapproval. "It's sad to see this kind of incident," Famin said. "Esteban's attack was completely out of line. It's exactly what we didn't want to see, and there will be consequences." His comments underscored the internal conflict the team faced following the crash.

Ocon later took to social media to accept responsibility for the incident. "Today's incident was my fault, the gap was too small in the end and I apologise to the team on this one," he wrote. Despite his apology, the damage had already been done, both to his car and potentially to his relationship with Gasly and the team.

This collision is not the first between Gasly and Ocon. The two also clashed at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, which has only added to the tension within the Alpine team.

Despite the chaos, Gasly managed to finish 10th, scoring his first point of the season for Alpine. However, the incident has cast a shadow over the team's performance and raised questions about their internal dynamics moving forward.

The team prepares for the Canadian Grand Prix, the focus will be on repairing not just the cars but also the relationships within the team. The collision at Monaco serves as a vivid illustration of the challenges that come with managing competitive teammates in a high-stakes environment, and the need for consequences.

Key Takeaways

• Alpine teammates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided on Lap 1 at Monaco GP.
• Ocon's car went airborne, resulting in significant damage and retirement.
• Race stewards deemed Ocon at fault, issuing a 5-place grid drop for Canadian GP.
• Ocon apologized on social media, taking responsibility for the incident.
• The collision highlights internal conflict and tension within the Alpine team.